‘Work pragmatically to prevent economic collapse in Afghanistan', Pakistan tells US

Premier Imran Khan urges John Kerry to release economic resources for welfare of the Afghan people

Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a meeting with a key US representative, has underscored the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for Pakistan and the region.

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), John Kerry, the United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, called on PM Imran in Riyadh on the sidelines of the "Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)” summit on Monday.

The premier stressed the imperative for the international community to work pragmatically to preserve peace and security, avert the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and prevent an economic collapse.

He underscored the need for positive engagement and release of economic resources and financial assets for the welfare of the Afghan people.

Read more: COAS doubles down on global efforts to avert humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

Highlighting the priority attached by the government of Pakistan to climate change, according to the official statement, PM Imran underscored the need to reinforce national as well as global emphasis against this existential threat.

The United States’ Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, @JohnKerry, called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI in Riyadh, today, on the sidelines of the “Middle East Green Initiative (MGI)” Summit.#ClimateAction pic.twitter.com/QZi1n0B9AM

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) October 25, 2021

The prime minister shared his perspective with the special envoy on challenges faced by Pakistan and other developing countries due to climate change, while highlighting Pakistan’s experience of launching nature-based solutions to address the environmental challenges, including the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project.

Reviewing the ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and the US on climate change and the environment, PM Imran expressed satisfaction on the recently held inaugural meeting of the “US-Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group” which explored potential areas of bilateral Pak-US cooperation on climate action.

The statement said that the special envoy Kerry agreed that Pakistan and the US shared a longstanding relationship, which should be further reinforced in areas of mutual convergence, including climate and environment.

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He acknowledged various initiatives undertaken by Pakistan to fight climate change. Emphasising the priority attached by the US administration towards the issue of climate change, Kerry briefed the prime minister on various measures undertaken by the Biden administration for developing a broad global consensus on climate action in the run-up to the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP-26), later this month.

The premier underscored that Pakistan and the United States should continue sharing ideas, expertise and technology to optimise mutually beneficial opportunities in the fight against climate change.

He also encouraged the special envoy to further explore the possibility of enhanced bilateral engagement through the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to support investment in climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation in Pakistan and the developing world.

The statement further said that the special envoy acknowledged the huge potential of cooperation in these areas and expressed the desire to further explore opportunities of bilateral cooperation including in power generation projects from renewable sources.

The two sides agreed to work in close coordination to determine the next steps in building an effective framework of cooperation in this regard, it added.